Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in EnglishBrighton & Hove Albion were the second-biggest spenders behind Chelsea in Europe’s five top leagues last summer, splashing out almost £200million ($258m) on nine new signings for Fabian Hurzeler’s first season as head coach.The unprecedented spending had four aims: to replenish the squad after big-money sales in previous windows, to establish Brighton as a top-10 Premier League club, be in contention for European football again, and challenge for domestic silverware.So, how has it worked out in the first nine months? Hurzeler’s side are in ninth place and still in the hunt for Europe with seven games to go. Some newcomers have become key players, while others have made minimal contributions. Injuries have played a major role in undermining the collective impact of the players involved for Brighton, while a third of the signings have been out on loan to clubs throughout the continent.The Athletic assesses a mixed bag from the summer trading for a club renowned for cute recruitment.Georginio Rutter — £40m from Leeds UnitedSaturday’s 2-1 defeat at rivals Crystal Palace was a reminder in his absence of how influential Rutter has been and how much he will be missed.At Selhurst Park, Brighton needed the 22-year-old’s ability to impact games when they had an extra man after Eddie Nketiah was sent off and a two-man advantage as Marc Guehi followed suit.The record signing has justified his hefty price tag with goals (eight), assists (four) and a high work rate out of possession across 32 appearances. This headed equaliser, for example, in the 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round win at home against Chelsea in February helped spark a six-match run of victories after a 7-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Georginio Rutter with a perfectly placed header for @OfficialBHAFC #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/awqBRNts61
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 8, 2025A right ankle injury sustained in unfortunate circumstances in the quarter-final exit on penalties against Forest last month — he twisted and landed awkwardly — is likely to rule Rutter out of the rest of the season. He is the player Hurzeler could least afford to lose.Yankuba Minteh — £30m from Newcastle UnitedMinteh is a contradiction. The Gambian right-winger at his best has bags of potential, pace and penetration. At his worst, he is infuriatingly inconsistent with his end product and decision-making.The 20-year-old should be cut some slack because of his age. The raw promise is obvious. An inviting cross for Danny Welbeck’s equaliser at Palace increased Minteh’s goal involvements to 11 in 30 games (six goals and five assists).His performances have matured since sorting out his timekeeping — he was dropped from the starting line-up after reporting late for a 1-0 home defeat by Everton in January. Attacking players have to be hungry out of possession under Hurzeler and Minteh has demonstrated discipline in tracking back. He has established himself as first choice on the right flank.Ferdi Kadioglu — £25m from FenerbahceThe running and dribbling skills of the Turkey international — the only defender amongst the summer signings — have been sorely missed.Kadioglu’s versatility as an adventurous left-back or right-back would have increased Hurzeler’s options in positions where injuries have taken their toll. Hurzeler used him on the right wing when he produced a stylish finish in a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield in November, his second goal in eight appearances.
Ferdi Kadioglu’s first Premier League goal for @OfficialBHAFC pic.twitter.com/0XoJ8OOCIx
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 5, 2024Kadioglu has not featured since then due to a toe injury that required surgery and there is little prospect of a return this season. Hurzeler, speaking before last week’s 3-0 home defeat by Aston Villa, said of the 25-year-old’s recovery progress: “The light doesn’t get lighter.”Mats Wieffer — £25m from FeyenoordThe Netherlands international’s Brighton career is in danger of being remembered for mistakes. A stray pass deep into added time led to an equaliser for Wolves in October’s 2-2 draw. At Palace, Wieffer’s chest pass fell short and caused a red card for Jan Paul van Hecke.Hurzeler has said that Wieffer “has a special profile for us” because he can be an emergency full-back, as well as his main position as a No 6. Injuries have interrupted his flow, the most frustrating example coming in December’s 1-1 draw at West Ham United when he was forced off after scoring and missed the next 10 games.There could be much better to come, but next season will be crucial for Wieffer.
Matt O’Riley has been limited to 16 appearances for Brighton this season (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Matt O’Riley — £25m from CelticThe signings of O’Riley and Wieffer were supposed to address a loss of quality in midfield after sales in the previous two summer windows of Yves Bissouma (Tottenham Hotspur), Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), and Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool). It has not turned out that way so far. The pair have only made 10 league starts between them.O’Riley has been hampered by ankle and knee injuries, so using the Denmark international as the No 8 with Wieffer in a double pivot is yet to materialise. There were signs of promise from O’Riley at No 10 against Palace before he was substituted in the second half.A strong finish could yet lead to a happy ending to a frustrating first season at the club for O’Riley.Brajan Gruda — £25m from MainzHurzeler played the Germany Under-21 international attacker at No 10 in the recent 3-0 home loss against Aston Villa and he was kept pretty quiet.That has been the case all season, a total of 19 appearances yielding no goals and two assists after his debut was delayed until October by a calf injury sustained while training with his nation’s senior squad last May in preparation for the 2024 European Championship.Gruda has lots of ability on the ball, but he has looked lightweight in the physical intensity of the Premier League. The 20-year-old will benefit from a full pre-season to make more of a challenge for Minteh’s right-wing spot in 2025-26.Malick Yalcouye — £7.6m from Gothenburg, loaned to Sturm GrazYalcouye has had an impressive spell on loan at Austrian Bundesliga club Sturm Graz, highlighted by a 92nd-minute decider in a 2-1 victory away to rivals Grazer AK in March.The 19-year-old has been a regular on the right side of midfield, scoring four goals and getting two assists in 29 appearances in all competitions. Eight of those outings came in the group stages of the Champions League, a valuable learning curve for Yalcouye.His loan has confirmed Hurzeler’s high opinion of Yalcouye’s potential, which he saw up close during last summer’s pre-season tour of Japan. Hurzeler, speaking to The Athletic in September, said: “I’m a big fan. I experienced a young player who comes from a different culture, who was not speaking the language perfectly, and understands the game in a really special way.”Ibrahim Osman — £16m from Nordsjaelland, loaned to FeyenoordThe 20-year-old Ghana international is a work in progress. Osman has made 29 appearances on loan at Feyenoord, seven coming in the Champions League in their run to the last 16.He has been used on the right wing, left wing, and as a centre-forward, scoring three goals and getting two assists in 19 Eredivisie matches. But he has made only six starts in the Dutch top flight, which has been a frustration for Osman, who put a finger to his lips when celebrating scoring as a substitute in a 4-1 win against Groningen last week. That did not go unnoticed by Robin van Persie, who replaced the sacked Brian Priske as Feyenoord’s head coach in February. The former Arsenal and Manchester United striker said after the match: “I’m going to talk to him. Hopefully, it wasn’t for me.”There is not as much depth on the left of Brighton’s attack as on the right. If Kaoru Mitoma attracts more transfer attention in the summer window — after bids reaching £61m from Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr were rejected in January — then Osman could enter Hurzeler’s calculations next season.
Amario Cozier-Duberry progressed through Arsenal’s academy before joining Brighton (Matt McNulty/Getty Images)Amario Cozier-Duberry — free from Arsenal, loaned to Blackburn RoversFormer Blackburn Rovers manager John Eustace described Cozier-Duberry as “virtually unplayable” in the first half of a goalscoring full debut for the Championship side against Luton Town in December. That was a snapshot of the 19-year-old right-winger’s talent during his first season of men’s football.Injuries and illness have contributed to a stop-start campaign comprising 22 appearances — including 16 from the bench — and he has not featured as much since Eustace’s departure. Cozier-Duberry’s international career is blossoming, with a debut for England Under-20s in a 2-2 draw against Switzerland in March.A summer assessment of what comes next — another loan or first-team involvement at Brighton — could depend on whether depth is required in the event of qualifying for Europe.(Top photo: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
